Why the f*** can’t I lose weight? I’m doing everything right

[Sorryagain]

Postmeno, 55, want to lose half a stone. I don’t like my weight. I’ve always worked out, done lots of heavy-ish weights and eaten healthily but in the last month I’ve really upped weights a lot. I’ve also

• kept to a low calorie count (20% off my TEE - track food most days. Try to keep to 3 meals but some days I do graze but not over cal limit
• upped protein most days to around 100-120g a day
• upped walking to try to do 7.5-10k a day
• added at least one HITT class onto 3 days weight training
• drink more water (my weakness)

i don’t drink, I eat v little sugar and almost no white stuff

the scales have moved by 1lb! I’m so fucked off.

I know post meno it’s hard but this is ridiculous.

I feel stronger, though, and I sense more muscle definition. But I don’t believe muscle will weigh more and keep me at this weight

thoughts? It’s v un motivating

Yes. But in a different way. He works so hard. He makes me laugh. He is an incredible dad.

I'm pretty average personality wise, not too hot on the being an incredible person side of things and I can't make anyone laugh. So I suppose I feel I ought to do the other stuff to balance the equation! It contributes to my self esteem.

(I don't always do it either. And the nails I do myself and I currently have grey temples as I'm due a hair appt!)

I think my point is, it isnt vacuous and shallow to want to be slimmer and to want to work hard at it, and that usually means counting calories and doing more exercise. This 'just eat whole food and intuitively' thing is total bollocks.

Generally, you need to plan to make things work. And I think the OP is right for questioning her methods and aims if they aren't working for her.

OP your body is telling you that you do not need to lose weight. What on earth are you trying to get to? 8.5st? Ok so that’s 9lbs. At your weight that’s going to be slow.
Aim to lose it over the next 9 months and stay healthy.
But again, I think your body is saying NO.

If you've increased protein and increased weight bearing exercise, could you be turning fat into muscle?

It's beyond frustrating how hard women have to work after the age of 45 to lose weight. I have pcos and have always found it hard to keep weight off/ lose weight. I'm 46 now and fighting a losing battle. I really, really enjoy food too - so halving my calorie intake sounds miserable. And I don't have the time for endless workouts.

I had the same issue too. It only started to come off when I fasted. I've fallen off the wagon and my weight is still low, still healthy eating. Think it was my hormones.

The latter is a post-menopausal woman who lifts heavy.

Heavy weights are not always possible.
50% of women who've given birth have some kind of pelvic prolapse. It's a disaster for them to lift weights as it makes it worse, unless they're seated.
This isn't talked about enough.

This is absolute rubbish. The GlucoseGoddess et al are peddling misinformation to sell supplements. So-called insulin spikes happen every time we eat, and carbohydrates are the preferred food for our brains. We need carbs to function.

No, her body is 'telling her' that she's still eating too much.

Stop making up non-scientific comments and telling OP to suck it up.

If I put on a stone (which would bring me under OP's weight) I've look huge as it all goes on my tummy.

Whilst this was obviously a mistake I couldn’t work out if it was meant to be 119lbs or 129lbs and to be honest was a bit apprehensive to ask and seeing the rather blunt way you have answered it I’m glad I didn’t. You seem rather cross with people taking their time to respond with helpful suggestions.

My TDEE turns out to be 1400 according to my fit bit.

If I ate 1350 I would br losing very slowly. I've lost weight recently but ate 1100 calories a day.

Also, menopause can cause increased cortisol which leads to weight gain. I'm sure that happened to me.

I've lost 3 stone but I'm still a stone heavier than I was pre menopause. I need to accept that I think and just concentrate on not putting weight on. I find it quite depressing having to eat next to nothing just to maintain.

This is excellent advice.

It's not really because weight loss is down to 80% food and 20% exercise.

And who has time to walk 12K steps if they work? That's about 6 miles a day!

OP lifts heavy, so the account is directly relevant to her.

You're correct on both points but you'll have people claiming they rack up those steps just pottering around the house!!!

But not everyone can- this is a general point because weights are always mentioned. we don't know if OP has any underlying issues it may aggravate.

Stop trying to lose weight and focus on getting really strong!

https://symmetricstrength.com/standards#/58/kg/female/55

And PLEASE can people stop saying muscle weighs more than fat? Muscle is more dense than fat.

This is literally the last place to come for sensible dietary advice.

LOL!

maybe they do teeny weeny steps?

You are in the position I was 25 years ago. I was 4 stone overweight and I tried every diet under the Sun until I worked out I could lose weight if I ate less than 800 calories a day. This gained me a slimmer figure but a really miserable existence.

Then I tried the 8 week blood sugar diet by Michael Mosley I eat twice a day 11am and 7 pm. It really works but I can stick with this diet using the recipe books and the meal planners they make food interesting and nutritious.

Good luck.

This just isn’t true. Lifting weights with prolapse issues is definitely possible, it just requires being more careful with form.

I walk this on the days I work in the office - I just walk to work😊.

'Literally'.😂

Why not just 'Last place'?

I’m your age, OP, with 9lbs to go to target, which will leave me still ‘overweight’ according to the bmi chart, but at 5ft8, if I lose more, I won’t be thrilled, my face is really showing my age since the loss. Having been overweight most of my life, I’m ecstatic to be where I am.

From experience of losing (and gaining!) serious amounts of weight, you should drastically change what you eat and write down absolutely everything you eat. My food diary was very revealing and helped me see that I was underestimating my calorie intake.

There's always one...

Why?? You are losing weight, just slowly. You don't want to create a 500 calorie daily deficit (and you shouldn't!) so why not accept that you are going to lose weight more slowly?

You are a healthy BMI and maybe this is just the weight that your body wants to be. You will probably be happier if you try and accept your body for what it is.